l8t That a fund should be established conformable to his Instructions abovementioned and to sir Thomas Robinsons Letter to the several Governors dated Octob^ 26. 1754. ^ 2*1 It being of the utmost importance that the five Nations of Indians and their Allies should be gained and secured to the British Interest, that a proper person should be sent with full powers from him to treat with them, and that Colonel Johnston, appearing to his Excellency the fittest person for that purpose, should be employed ki it.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 649

And in order to promote the success of the Treaty, the General proposed that presents should be made to the said Indians in which he desired the opinion of the Council as to the value to which the said presents should be made, and the manner of th6ir being Supplied.

3 His Excellency acquainted the Council that he proposed to attack the French Forts at Crown point and Niagara and desired their Opinion whether it was advisable that the Reduction of Crown point should be undertaken \^th the forces agreed to be Supplyed by the Several Colonies concerned in it amounting in the whole to 4400 Men and whether it was their opinion that Colonel Johnston was a proper person to Command in Chief the said service.

4*^ His Excellency considering the Fort at Oswego as a Post of the greatest importance for facilitating the proposed attack of Niagara, and securing the retreat of the Troops to be employed in that service, and having been informed of Its present Defenceless condition & of the weakness of its Garrison acquainted the Council that he should order it to be reinforced by the two Independent Companies of New York and two Companies of Sir Williaih Pepperels Regiment, and desired to have their opinion whether it would not be proper to build one or more Vessels upon the Lake Ontario for asserting his Majesty's right to that Lake as well as for a Security to the Forces to be employed in the attack of Niagara, and of what burthen or Force the said Vessels should be.